ARE BOOTS TO BE DEARER?

Evening Star, Issue 17087, 4 July 1919, Page 7

ARE BOOTS TO BE DEARER?

[Special xo the ' Stak.'] CHEISTCHUECH, July 3. .'Despite the statements of the Dunedin Boot Manufacturers' Association that there is no need for an increase of Ss per pair in boots, as announced from Ghristchurch, this increase is being mad© in some centres as tho following, from Tuesday's Auckland ' Star ' will show :—" The price of footwear, which during the war has increased to mi extent which the public hoped would be sufficient without any further increase,~is to be jumped up again as from to-day. All imported lines have been advanced" in prices to New Zealand importers—the Australian article from 10 to 12£ per cont., and the American from 12i to 20 per cent. This will have- the effect of advancing the retail price of men's boots by about 5s per pair, and other classes in proportion. A leading Auckland manufacturing firm in the trade has advised the retailers that owing to the increased price- of leather they are reluctantly compelled to advance the prices of all their manufactured footwear lines. The advice states that it is impossible for them at the time of writing to quoto definite prices, but it would be necessary for each line to bear its increase cost. Thev estimate that the advance, will be approximately from Is to 3s per pair on men's and women's lines according to the fluctuation of tho leather market, and also, of course, the stylo of footwear- in respect to repairs. A leading retailer advised a reporter this morning that the price for soling and heeling men's and women's boots would be increased to the extent of sixpence per pair. The price to be charged fr>r children's repairs would bo governed by size. He mentioned that _ while the price of all accessories in repair of boots had increased tremendously during the war the increase had not been handed on to the public."